Letter to the Editor: Residential students face unique challenges

Have you ever had to worry about catching a cab to school, or about setting up transportation just to stay after school for an extracurricular activity? In today’s society that’s not an issue most of us have, right?

Well, it’s normal for at least 1 percent of us in Webster Groves High School. The reason is because the 1 percent of us are in a residential.

This is a placement where you go and spend time if your family situation is not the best. You can stay short term or long term depending on your situation.

When you stay in residential, you wake up at 5 a.m. and go to bed when they tell you to. It usually depends on your age.

You stay in a house environment, and about 18 other kids stay with you there. You have a schedule of what times you get to go be active. This is called “rec time.”

Most of the kids at Webster are active on their own time, but when you’re in a residential, you don’t get to pick when you have fun.

The schedule also consists of what you eat. Most kids get to eat when they want, but the kids in a residential have set times to eat.
This is my routine every day.

News Briefs

Winter Dance tickets are on sale before school, during both lunches and after school in the Activities Office for $10.

The dance will be Saturday, Jan. 26, from 7-9:30 p.m. in Roberts Gym.

All fines/fees must be paid in order to purchase a ticket, and outside guest forms are available in the activities office.

There is no limit of outside guests; however, any non-WGHS student must complete an outside guest form.

ECHO staff earns NSPA, CSPA honors

ECHO staffers were informed of several honors in the last few weeks.

ECHO was one of 44 student publications to be named National Scholastic Press Association Online Pacemaker Finalists.

Pacemaker finalists will receive plaques at the Opening Ceremony of the Spring National High School Journalism Convention in Anaheim, CA, on April 25, and Pacemaker winners will be announced April 27.

Columbia Scholastic Press Association awarded the ECHO a Gold Medalist Rating with All Colombian Honors for Essentials for its hybrid (print and online) platform.

The judge commented, “The Echo has something for every reader. Storytelling quotes bring events alive for the reader. The publication is all about the students at Webster Grove High School and their lives, their thoughts. One cannot help but feel a connection to the school community after reading this newspaper and exploring the digital site. That’s what makes it so special. ”

Also NSPA awarded the ECHO a First Class rating for its 2017-18 print version.

Mini-cheerleaders perform at a home football game after the cheer junior camp in 2016. Photo by Elise Keller